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| GIVEAWAY |
HIDDEN PLACES
A deep yearning for home had led Eliza to Wyatt orchards ten years ago. Now widowed with three young children, she faces mounting debts and the realization it is all up to her. But she has no idea how she'll run the orchard alone.
When a stranger appears at her doorstep, Eliza guesses he is no different than the other out-of-luck characters searching for work during the Depression. But the familiarity with which Gabe tends to the farm raises unanswered questions. With a vulnerable heart, she is unwittingly drawn to his gentle ways. But Eliza also fears that Gabe hides a past and motives that could jeopardize all she has fought to attain for herself and children...
My Review:
published in 2001
My thanks to my public library for providing me with an awesome audio recording of this book!
This might be my oldest retro read to date...nearly 20 years! What an amazing, complex, completely riveting read. Austin takes her time developing the story and digging deep into the lives of her characters. So many 'live out loud' moments! I just basked in the glory of it all even as I stressed over all the unanswered questions. This is the kind of novel it's easy to lose yourself in. I loved the unhurried pace, the sweet, funny moments that often cropped up in the midst of tension. The antics of a one-eyed dog named Winkie and a maternal cat's craving for kittens...in the form of stolen mittens! And the Depression Era is a favourite curiosity of mine -- I blame the Waltons. :-) But I can't resist a story set in this time period. Feelings seem sharper, desperation starker, stolen kisses sweeter....I know that doesn't quite make sense but it's how I feel.
Deliciously long -- 429 pages -- this is the kind of story you can sink your teeth into. Gabe is a man of mystery -- all grit and toe-curling gentleness while Eliza is feisty and snappy and hiding tender feelings beneath a whole lot of worry and angst. And Aunt Batty might just be the star of the novel. Her story surprised me the most. And the way Austin weaves these characters' lives together, meshing their pasts with their present and wrapping them all in the secure arms of a loving God while she's at it -- well, sweet perfection doesn't cover it!
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
Please note: this giveaway is in ecopy format only If you would like a chance to win an ecopy of Hidden Places, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced September 9 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!
I recently picked this one up second-hand along with another of her stories - A Woman's Place. To be honest, I had no idea until your review that it takes place during The Depression. I picked it up because it was Lynn Austin. I also had no idea you enjoy that era of historical fiction as much as I do. I LOVE Depression Era fiction. I blame it on nostalgia and being fascinated by that time in history when my maternal grandmother married and started her family. She was an amazing and formidable woman who raised 15 kids, my mom being one of them. My mom is truly a product of having been raised by a parent who was shaped by those lean years - frugal and money smart to no end. I'm going to check if my library also has the audio version so I can listen when I'm not somewhere that I can read. Thanks for sharing your retro-reads.
ReplyDeleteWow -- 15 kids -- I can't even!!!! And during that time period! We have it way too easy. I really enjoyed the audio book -- I felt like I was sitting around the radio with the Waltons listening to a serial radio drama. Ha!
DeleteI have to remind myself how easy we got it sometimes. As a parent, it can be really frustrating with kids and their attitude of entitlement. My daughter is moving beyond that now, but still has the luxury of living at home (when she's not with YWAM) and not realizing the depth of financial responsibility when living on your own. Because of this, I'm truly afraid my son will never move out! Lol!
DeleteYes!!! And back then the whole family contributed to the household by doing chores, contributing to the business where possible (like farming) and no one had to be paid to do the work. Kids might not have wanted to, same as today, but they knew they had to...a subtle difference from 2018!
DeleteI grew up hearing many stories and "lessons" of the Depression from my grandparents and my parents, who were children at that time, to become teenagers/young adults during WWII. Waste not, want not; never throw anything away as "you might need it"; everyone had a garden; I could go on and on, and I retained some of those habits from them. So....a book setting with such depth of many emotions and situations involved in that period. Always love Lynn Austin. Even though I greatly prefer the feel of a book, I was recently given a Kindle as a gift, from my husband. It can be convenient. I think you don't have one, and I am surprised I have adapted to some extent. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, I'm not an ebook reader. It plays havoc with my eyes and I don't have a Kindle for that reason. But I'm discovering that I can enjoy an audio book with the right narrator. I think we could all stand to adopt some of that 'waste not, want not' mentality and develop an appreciation for the simple things. This 21st century life has gotten way too complicated! Good luck, CC.
DeleteI don't want to enter the giveaways (not a fan of ebooks) but love that the character's name is Eliza. That's my daughter's name. :)
ReplyDeleteYou and me both, SIS! Thankfully my library had an audio book of this one. You might find the real thing at your library though. It is well worth the read!
DeleteGreat book, my book twin. I need to read it again.
ReplyDeleteAnd you probably read it waaaaayyyy before me! Do not ask me what I was doing in 2001 but I was not reading Christian Fiction. lol
DeleteI haven’t read any of Lynn Austin’s books yet and would love to win this one! Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeletemindyhoung AT msn DOT com
Good luck, Mindy!
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